Influencers disappointed at TikTok Awards snub

It appears a bunch of well-known names were left off this year’s guest list at the TikTok Awards.

A host of influencers have been left confused and disappointed after being snubbed from this year’s highly anticipated TikTok awards.

The awards – which were presented by CeraVe and held at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night – aimed to “celebrate the diversity, uniqueness, and achievements of TikTok storytellers”.

But it appears a bunch of well-known names were left off this year’s guest list.

Nurse Ellie Peach was one influencer to take to TikTok on Wednesday to share her confusion.

“Tonight I am going to the emergency department to work,” Ellie, who boasts over 130,000 followers, said in a video.

“I was not invited which honestly I am upset about. I genuinely am upset about (it).

“Last year I thought maybe it was because I was still gaining traction but now like I’ve got a decent amount of followers, I get really good engagement and like I’ve worked hard and I’ve always been genuine and spoken up for nurses… and alas, I was not invited.”

Ellie was one of the influencers who was left off this year’s guest list. Picture: TikTok@eswift95

“I genuinely am upset about (it),” she said. Picture: TikTok@eswift95

Ellie pointed out a well-known male nursing influencer did manage to score an invite, seemingly referencing nurse Hamish Briggs, who has 98,000 TikTok followers.

“I’m not saying that he shouldn’t be invited, that he shouldn’t go. But I think if he’s there, then I definitely should be there,” she said, without specifically naming names.

“At the end of the day, I wanted to represent nursing in the creative field at a big event like this as a woman because we are a female-dominated industry and I think that it’s important to have women in these spaces.”

“Yesterday it all really got to me, I was like ‘I’m not getting a pay rise’ (seemingly referencing sidelined pay negotiations for NSW nurses)… now I’m not invited to these other spaces where I’m also a nurse and a creator, what is happening?”

Suggesting another reason for the lack of an invite, she remarked: “Maybe this platform doesn’t like me very much, I don’t know, if anyone has any insight that has been invited, I would love that.”

The nurse said she attempted to reach out to TikTok but had no luck.

Ellie wasn’t the only healthcare influencer to be snubbed.

Dr Katie, who boasts 314,000 TikTok followers, also said she wasn’t invited to this year’s event, nor was she on the guest list last year.

“Hey girl, I feel you,” Dr Katie said in a video reacting to Ellie’s post.

“I’m also a healthcare professional that spends a lot of time, energy and effort creating educational content for this app for the great of good I feel … I also am a bit disappointed, I’m a bit miffed.”

Dr Katie said she was disappointed and “a bit miffed”. Picture: TikTok @dr.katie.h

She said she also wasn’t invited last year. Picture: TikTok @dr.katie.h

Dr Katie said she flagged with her management that she wanted to attend the event – which was watched last year by 2.2 million people – months ago.

“What’s even more embarrassing for me, is I actually worked this year with the TikTok awards’ biggest sponsor,” she added.

“I just wanted to go to have a night away from my kids, to go get glammed up, put on a pretty dress and meet some new people because it looks like it would be a really fun night.”

Instead, Dr Katie said she would be working on Thursday night.

“Come on people, it’s 2024, let’s give female health professionals a seat at the table as well.”

Dr Michael, who was flown to the awards last year, also took to the social media platform after he wasn’t invited to the event, which he labelled “wanky” and “staged”.

“No invite for me either unfortunately I’m at work,” said Dr Michael, who has an over 400,000-strong TikTok following.

“After last year as well, when I got flown in, put up in a fancy hotel … honestly when it comes to this kind of stuff, it’s who you know, not who you are,” he added, before praising Ellie and Dr Katie’s content.

Dr Michael was flown to the event last year. Picture: TikTok@drmichaelsays

This year he is working. Picture: TikTok@drmichaelsays

“Yes I got to go last year and was it fun? Well it was only fun because I met a few creators that I follow and that I spoke to and that I had a good time with but the rest of the time it was a bit wanky, it was all very staged.”

“TikTok are not interested in people educating and they’re certainly not interested in healthcare workers that’s for sure.”

Outside of healthcare, creator Kara Hansnern, who has 245,000 followers also said she was not invited.

“TikTok awards said I’m not cool enough I guess,” she captioned a video on Wednesday.

Fans of the well-known content creators shared in their disappointment.

“That’s insane. I’ve followed you forever (nurse myself),” one person commented on Ellie’s video.

“That’s super disappointing Ellie! You have every right to be upset,” said another.

“You deserve recognition for your hard work and contribution. Your disappointment is totally justified.”

News.com.au contacted TikTok for comment.